Israeli military is conducting investigations to verify if Hamas’s top leader, Yahya Sinwar, was eliminated in a recent Gaza strike.
“During IDF operations in the Gaza Strip, three terrorists were eliminated. The IDF and ISA (Isreal Security Agency) checking the possibility that one of the terrorists was Yahya Sinwar. At this stage, the identity of the terrorists cannot be confirmed,” The Israel Defense Forces said in a press release Thursday.
“In the building where the terrorists were eliminated, there were no signs of the presence of hostages in the area. The forces that are operating in the area are continuing to operate with the required caution,” the Israeli military added.
Reports circulating on social media suggest that the corps has been identified as that of Hamas chief Sinwar. Official confirmation is still awaited.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to make a statement later today.
The 61-year old terrorist, who orchestrated the October 7 massacre and has been directing Hamas terrorist fighters in the ensuing war against Israel, was named Hamas leader in early August after an apparent Israeli strike killed his predecessor, Ismail Haniyeh, while on a visit to Iran.
as the the only high-profile Hamas terrorist still operating in Gaza. Most of the Hamas leadership had moved to a life of safety and luxury in the Arab Gulf state of Qatar.
Israeli media reported suggest that the Hamas leader may have been killed in an IDF strike. Israel’s television “Channel 12 cites a senior Israeli official who it says has confirmed that Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar has been eliminated,” The Times of Israel reported.
“The Israeli military is reportedly increasingly confident that it eliminated Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, the architect of the October 7 massacre, in an operation in Gaza,” The Israeli TV channel i24NEWS said.
CLICK HERE FOR FULL VERSION OF THIS STORY